Africa Press-Nigeria:
The Stoke man has had a fine start to his England return, proving he still has the tools to be an asset for the Nigeria national team
It is safe to say that fans and observers of the Nigeria national team go into October’s friendly double-header – 2020’s first international break – with more questions than answers.
Despite the absence of any football at all since last November, the Super Eagles somehow managed to rise in the Fifa Rankings. That can be chalked up to an esoteric system and shrugged off as a welcome slice of good fortune, but it has only heightened the public’s level of anticipation of a side that has been inactive for close to a year.
What do we remember of that side then?
Well, they had got off to the perfect start in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with wins over Benin and Lesotho, and had earned creditable friendly draws (albeit in quite contrasting circumstances) against Ukraine and Brazil. There had also been a sense of proper evolution, both in terms of personnel and speed, with the additions of Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo and Victor Osimhen amongst others.
However, Gernot Rohr’s decision to, in responding to the injury-enforced withdrawal of Wilfred Ndidi, recall Tyronne Ebuehi spoke to a lingering concern. Make no mistake: it is the culmination of a great redemption arc for Ebuehi, who is finding his feet again following a harrowing two-year ordeal at Benfica.
